The Absence of Snakes in Ireland

According to legend, lreland in northern Europe has no snakes because a

fifth-century monk named Patrick drove the island's snakes into the sea. In
reality, lreland has no snakes because of the interplay between organisms and
their physical environment.

Snakes, like all reptiles and amphibians, are ectotherms (cold-blooded): their
body temperature and functionality are dictated by the temperature of their
external environment. Species diversity of reptiles decreases rapidly from the
equator toward the higher latitudes. In North America, the number of lizard
species is highest in the warm desert regions of the southwest and declines
continuously as you move northward. The same pattern of species diversity is
evident in Europe, where the number of reptile species declines markedly as you
move from the warmer Mediterranean coast toward northern Europe and the
British Isles. Although one snake species, the European adder (viper), is found
above the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, its unusually northern distribution comes
at a cost. The adder has a very limited period of activity, often only three to four
months a year. In addition, the species may take up to four years to attain sexual
maturity, and females may breed only once every three or four years, using the
intervening period to build up the fat reserves necessary to produce offspring.

The progressive decline in solar radiation and temperatures from the tropics to
the poles not only reduces the abundance and diversity of reptiles but also has a
direct influence on their body size. The reason for these patterns is that heat
exchange occurs across the surface of a body, but warming usually occurs
throughout the entire body's mass or volume. Large bodies, because of their low
surface area to volume ratio, take longer to warm than smaller ones. This
physical reality results in upper limits to the size of snakes (and other reptiles)
depending on the distance of the snake's habitat from the tropics. All of the
large snakes, such as the anaconda and python, are found within the tropic and
subtropical regions. Other large reptiles- such as the iguanas, monitor lizards,
and the crocodilians (alligators, caimans, and crocodiles)- -are likewise limited in
their distribution to the warm, aseasonal environments of the subtropics and
tropics. The maximum body size for ectotherms declines as you move north and
south from the equator. This pattern is the exact opposite of that observed for
endotherms (warm-blooded animals), where average body size increases from
the tropics to the poles, a pattern referred to as Bergmann's rule. The
environmental constraint on the upper limit of body size for ectotherms is at the
very heart of the current debate over whether the dinosaurs were cold- or
warm-blooded. The fossil record places the dinosaurs well into the northern
latitudes, with specimens found in Alaska and Siberia.

As for snakes, the fossil record reveals that the diversity of reptiles and
amphibians (terrestrial ectotherms) has always been low in northern Europe.
During the Pleistocene epoch (from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), a time when
the temperature of Earth was considerably lower than that now observed, much
of the Northern Hemisphere was covered by glaciers. Although certain refugia
(small pockets of land not covered by ice) existed, the massive ice sheet virtually
obliterated all life in northern Europe, including Ireland and Britain. As
temperatures rose and the glaciers retreated during the Holocene epoch (11,700
years to the present), the region was recolonized by plants and animals, but the
cool temperatures of northern Europe proved inhospitable to most snakes.
Nevertheless, the island of Britain, similar in climate to lreland, ended up with
three species of snakes that survive there to this day.

Three species of snakes is a paltry sum, but nonetheless, it is more than lreland
has. Why the difference? After the retreat of the continental glaciers at the end
of the last ice age, Britain had a land bridge connecting it with the mainland of
Europe, whereas Ireland did not. The limited diversity of snakes on the mainland
meant that the pool of species available to recolonize both Britain and Ireland
was small in the first place. However, lreland's lack of a land bridge with
continental Europe, coupled with the limited dispersal abilities of most snake
species, have to date, prohibited their successful recolonization there.

1. Why does the author provide the information that “In North
America, the number of lizard species is highest in the warm desert
regions of the southwest and declines continuously as you move
northward"?

Snakes, like all reptiles and amphibians, are ectotherms (cold-blooded): their
body temperature and functionality are dictated by the temperature of their
external environment. Species diversity of reptiles decreases rapidly from the
equator toward the higher latitudes. In North America, the number of lizard
species is highest in the warm desert regions of the southwest and declines
continuously as you move northward. The same pattern of species diversity is
evident in Europe, where the number of reptile species declines markedly as you
move from the warmer Mediterranean coast toward northern Europe and the
British Isles. Although one snake species, the European adder (viper), is found
above the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, its unusually northern distribution comes
at a cost. The adder has a very limited period of activity, often only three to four
months a year. In addition, the species may take up to four years to attain sexual
maturity, and females may breed only once every three or four years, using the
intervening period to build up the fat reserves necessary to produce offspring.

To contrast patterns of reptile diversity in North America with patterns

elsewhere
To help illustrate a general principle about the species diversity of reptiles
To challenge a common belief about the preferred habitats of reptiles
To make the point that snakes are less affected by external temperature
than are lizards

2. The word “intervening" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Snakes, like all reptiles and amphibians, are ectotherms (cold-blooded): their
body temperature and functionality are dictated by the temperature of their
external environment. Species diversity of reptiles decreases rapidly from the
equator toward the higher latitudes. In North America, the number of lizard
species is highest in the warm desert regions of the southwest and declines
continuously as you move northward. The same pattern of species diversity is
evident in Europe, where the number of reptile species declines markedly as you
move from the warmer Mediterranean coast toward northern Europe and the
British Isles. Although one snake species, the European adder (viper), is found
above the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, its unusually northern distribution comes
at a cost. The adder has a very limited period of activity, often only three to four
months a year. In addition, the species may take up to four years to attain sexual
maturity, and females may breed only once every three or four years, using the
intervening period to build up the fat reserves necessary to produce offspring.
 Early
Other
Between
Long

3. According to paragraph 2, all of the following are costs of living

above the Arctic Circle for the European adder EXCEPT

Snakes, like all reptiles and amphibians, are ectotherms (cold-blooded): their
body temperature and functionality are dictated by the temperature of their
external environment. Species diversity of reptiles decreases rapidly from the
equator toward the higher latitudes. In North America, the number of lizard
species is highest in the warm desert regions of the southwest and declines
continuously as you move northward. The same pattern of species diversity is
evident in Europe, where the number of reptile species declines markedly as you
move from the warmer Mediterranean coast toward northern Europe and the
British Isles. Although one snake species, the European adder (viper), is found
above the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, its unusually northern distribution comes
at a cost. The adder has a very limited period of activity, often only three to four
months a year. In addition, the species may take up to four years to attain sexual
maturity, and females may breed only once every three or four years, using the
intervening period to build up the fat reserves necessary to produce offspring.

producing only three or four offspring at a time

reproducing only once every three to four years
remaining inactive for most of the year
living up to four years before producing offspring

4. According to paragraph 3, which of the following statements is true

about the anaconda and python, as well as other large reptiles?

The progressive decline in solar radiation and temperatures from the tropics to
the poles not only reduces the abundance and diversity of reptiles but also has a
direct influence on their body size. The reason for these patterns is that heat
exchange occurs across the surface of a body, but warming usually occurs
throughout the entire body's mass or volume. Large bodies, because of their low
surface area to volume ratio, take longer to warm than smaller ones. This
physical reality results in upper limits to the size of snakes (and other reptiles)
depending on the distance of the snake's habitat from the tropics. All of the
large snakes, such as the anaconda and python, are found within the tropic and
subtropical regions. Other large reptiles- such as the iguanas, monitor lizards,
and the crocodilians (alligators, caimans, and crocodiles)- -are likewise limited in
their distribution to the warm, aseasonal environments of the subtropics and
tropics. The maximum body size for ectotherms declines as you move north and
south from the equator. This pattern is the exact opposite of that observed for
endotherms (warm-blooded animals), where average body size increases from
the tropics to the poles, a pattern referred to as Bergmann's rule. The
environmental constraint on the upper limit of body size for ectotherms is at the
very heart of the current debate over whether the dinosaurs were cold- or
warm-blooded. The fossil record places the dinosaurs well into the northern
latitudes, with specimens found in Alaska and Siberia.

Their size varies, depending on the size of their habitat.

They can become warm in a very short period.
Their maximum body size is determined by Bergmann's rule.
They are found in places that are warm throughout the year.

5. Paragraph 3 suggests that the discovery of dinosaur fossils well into

northern latitudes may indicate which of the following?

The progressive decline in solar radiation and temperatures from the tropics to
the poles not only reduces the abundance and diversity of reptiles but also has a
direct influence on their body size. The reason for these patterns is that heat
exchange occurs across the surface of a body, but warming usually occurs
throughout the entire body's mass or volume. Large bodies, because of their low
surface area to volume ratio, take longer to warm than smaller ones. This
physical reality results in upper limits to the size of snakes (and other reptiles)
depending on the distance of the snake's habitat from the tropics. All of the
large snakes, such as the anaconda and python, are found within the tropic and
subtropical regions. Other large reptiles- such as the iguanas, monitor lizards,
and the crocodilians (alligators, caimans, and crocodiles)- -are likewise limited in
their distribution to the warm, aseasonal environments of the subtropics and
tropics. The maximum body size for ectotherms declines as you move north and
south from the equator. This pattern is the exact opposite of that observed for
endotherms (warm-blooded animals), where average body size increases from
the tropics to the poles, a pattern referred to as Bergmann's rule. The
environmental constraint on the upper limit of body size for ectotherms is at the
very heart of the current debate over whether the dinosaurs were cold- or
warm-blooded. The fossil record places the dinosaurs well into the northern
latitudes, with specimens found in Alaska and Siberia.

Dinosaurs were warm-blooded.

Bergmann's rule applies to both warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals.
The maximum body size for ectotherms is greater than the maximum size
for endotherms.
The northern latitudes were much warmer when the dinosaurs were alive
than they are today.

6. According to paragraph 3, which of the following statements is true

about the distribution of cold-blooded and warm-blooded animals?

The progressive decline in solar radiation and temperatures from the tropics to
the poles not only reduces the abundance and diversity of reptiles but also has a
direct influence on their body size. The reason for these patterns is that heat
exchange occurs across the surface of a body, but warming usually occurs
throughout the entire body's mass or volume. Large bodies, because of their low
surface area to volume ratio, take longer to warm than smaller ones. This
physical reality results in upper limits to the size of snakes (and other reptiles)
depending on the distance of the snake's habitat from the tropics. All of the
large snakes, such as the anaconda and python, are found within the tropic and
subtropical regions. Other large reptiles- such as the iguanas, monitor lizards,
and the crocodilians (alligators, caimans, and crocodiles)- -are likewise limited in
their distribution to the warm, aseasonal environments of the subtropics and
tropics. The maximum body size for ectotherms declines as you move north and
south from the equator. This pattern is the exact opposite of that observed for
endotherms (warm-blooded animals), where average body size increases from
the tropics to the poles, a pattern referred to as Bergmann's rule. The
environmental constraint on the upper limit of body size for ectotherms is at the
very heart of the current debate over whether the dinosaurs were cold- or
warm-blooded. The fossil record places the dinosaurs well into the northern
latitudes, with specimens found in Alaska and Siberia.
 In equatorial regions, warm-blooded animals are more numerous than
cold-blooded animals.
Warm-blooded animals in equatorial regions are larger than those in
polar regions.
Warm-blooded animals in polar regions are larger than those in
equatorial regions.
In polar regions, cold-blooded animals are more numerous than
warm-blooded animals.

7. The word “nonetheless" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Three species of snakes is a paltry sum, but nonetheless, it is more than lreland
has. Why the difference? After the retreat of the continental glaciers at the end
of the last ice age, Britain had a land bridge connecting it with the mainland of
Europe, whereas Ireland did not. The limited diversity of snakes on the mainland
meant that the pool of species available to recolonize both Britain and Ireland
was small in the first place. However, lreland's lack of a land bridge with
continental Europe, coupled with the limited dispersal abilities of most snake
species, have to date, prohibited their successful recolonization there.

on the whole
despite that
significantly
clearly

8. According to paragraph 5, all of the following help to explain the

difference in the number of species of snakes in Britain and Ireland
EXCEPT:

Three species of snakes is a paltry sum, but nonetheless, it is more than lreland
has. Why the difference? After the retreat of the continental glaciers at the end
of the last ice age, Britain had a land bridge connecting it with the mainland of
Europe, whereas Ireland did not. The limited diversity of snakes on the mainland
meant that the pool of species available to recolonize both Britain and Ireland
was small in the first place. However, lreland's lack of a land bridge with
continental Europe, coupled with the limited dispersal abilities of most snake
species, have to date, prohibited their successful recolonization there.
 Ireland was not connected to mainland Europe by a land bridge as Britain
was.
It took longer for the glaciers to retreat from Ireland than from Britain.
There were very few species on the mainland to begin with.
Most snake species had little ability to spread from one place to another.

9. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence
could be added to the passage.

It also has implications for the regional distribution of reptiles.

Where would the sentence best fit? Copy and paste instead of a square [■]
to insert the sentence in the passage.

The progressive decline in solar radiation and temperatures from the tropics to
the poles not only reduces the abundance and diversity of reptiles but also has a
direct influence on their body size. The reason for these patterns is that heat
exchange occurs across the surface of a body, but warming usually occurs
throughout the entire body's mass or volume. Large bodies, because of their low
surface area to volume ratio, take longer to warm than smaller ones. ■ This
physical reality results in upper limits to the size of snakes (and other reptiles)
depending on the distance of the snake's habitat from the tropics. ■ All of the
large snakes, such as the anaconda and python, are found within the tropic and
subtropical regions. Other large reptiles- such as the iguanas, monitor lizards,
and the crocodilians (alligators, caimans, and crocodiles)- -are likewise limited in
their distribution to the warm, aseasonal environments of the subtropics and
tropics. ■ The maximum body size for ectotherms declines as you move north
and south from the equator. ■ This pattern is the exact opposite of that
observed for endotherms (warm-blooded animals), where average body size
increases from the tropics to the poles, a pattern referred to as Bergmann's rule.
The environmental constraint on the upper limit of body size for ectotherms is at
the very heart of the current debate over whether the dinosaurs were cold- or
warm-blooded. The fossil record places the dinosaurs well into the northern
latitudes, with specimens found in Alaska and Siberia.

10.Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is

provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer
choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some
 sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that
are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This
question is worth 2 points.
There are no snakes in Ireland because the environment is not well
suited to the biological requirements of reptiles.
-
-
-
A. Snakes, like other cold-blooded animals, do quite well in places where it is
warm throughout the year, but they become rarer in number and species,
as well as smaller in form, the colder it gets.
B. Although the European adder, found above the Arctic Circle in
Scandinavia, is well adapted to living in very cold climates, it is still absent
from Ireland.
C. The island of Britain, which is similar in climate to Ireland, has three snake
species, but the lack of a land bridge prevented all of these species from
reaching Ireland.
D. There have never been many ectotherms in northern Europe, and few
snake species colonized the region after the glaciers retreated during the
Holocene.
E. Warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals are equally abundant in the
tropics and subtropics, but warm-blooded animals do better than
cold-blooded animals in cooler climates.
F. Because of changes in global temperatures, snakes today are generally
much smaller than those that lived during the Pleistocene and thus have
relatively limited dispersal abilities.
 Early European Tapestries
Tapestries, handwoven textiles made with different colored threads to produce
designs or images, were highly popular in Western and northern Europe
between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries. The nobility at the time
usually lived in big, austere, drafty castles, and tapestries provided comfort and
warmth. They could be hung on cold walls or used to cover doors and windows.
Noble families often did not have a permanent home, instead moving
periodically among several locations. Tapestries, which were expensive, were
usually packed and moved each time, bringing with them a sense of luxury and
familiarity.

Some of the most famous tapestries were woven from wool in Flanders (modern
Belgium), a region well-placed for tapestry production. Many of the plants that
supplied dyes grew there. The leaves of the woad plant were used to make blue,
and the madder root provided red. Yellow came from different materials,
including onion skins and lemon peels, though most of these yellows faded
quickly, thus also affecting the quality of green, which is a mixture of blue and
yellow. High-quality wool was not produced in Flanders but was readily imported
from nearby England.

Because of a long history of textile production, Flanders already boasted many

skilled weavers and dyers when tapestry production began to increase, and this
advantage grew in the late fifteenth century because of unrest in Flanders'
southern neighbor, France. Originally, Paris had been a center of tapestry
production, but the turmoil produced by the Hundred Years' War between
England and France (1337- 1453) caused many textile workers to relocate to
Flanders or to the city of Arras, which was then a part of the Duchy of Burgundy.
Following the death of the Duke of Burgundy in 1477, the French king Louis XI
conquered the territories around Arras. Its inhabitants, still loyal to Burgundy,
then expelled all the French who had lived in the city. In retaliation, Louis
attacked the town and, in turn, expelled the inhabitants loyal to Burgundy,
including the textile workers, many of whom fled to Flanders. Paris regained
some of its strength in tapestry production in the seventeenth century when
Louis XIV established the famed Gobelins workshops there.
Tapestries were initially used mostly for warmth, but their visual aspect later
gained importance. Tapestries often tell a story. Many early tapestries were
hung in churches and cathedrals; these often featured biblical scenes and were
used for teaching or religious devotion. However, the use of tapestries in
churches later declined with the rise of Gothic architecture. Because this new
style emphasized light, churches had many more windows than before, reducing
the space for tapestries. In homes, tapestries were still prized; they tended to
show complex, varied scenes in vivid colors and provided visual unity to rooms.
Historical or mythical scenes were popular, including depictions of heroes and
heroines from Greek mythology and figures from European legend. Among the
most famous tapestries is a set of six called The Lady and the Unicorn， now in
the Cluny Museum in Paris. These tapestries, done in the intricate millefleurs
design (with a background of many small flowers), all show an elegant lady
accompanied by a unicorn and a lion. Five of them likely represented the senses,
but the meaning of the sixth, bearing an inscription sometimes translated as“my
sole desire," is debatable.

Tapestries were often used as symbols of power and success. A nobleman would
sometimes commission a tapestry showing historical or mythical scenes that
lent his family legitimacy or commemorated a battle his family had won.
Because these tapestry pieces declared status, they were often finer than other
kinds of tapestries, sometimes made with gold or silver thread. One magnificent
group of tapestries, called the Apocalypse of Angers, was commissioned by the
Duke of Anjou (France) in 1375. In Christian narratives, the Apocalypse is the
final battle between good and evil, which is symbolized in the tapestry by various
images, like battles between angels and beasts. Some of the angels are holding
flags showing the Cross of Anjou, a symbol of the duke's territory. The tapestries
were probably designed to represent the duke's wealth as well as to reinforce
his authority as a ruler.

11.In paragraph 1, the author mentions that tapestries “could be hung

on cold walls or used to cover doors and windows" to help the reader
understand why

Tapestries, handwoven textiles made with different colored threads to produce

designs or images, were highly popular in Western and northern Europe
between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries. The nobility at the time
usually lived in big, austere, drafty castles, and tapestries provided comfort and
warmth. They could be hung on cold walls or used to cover doors and windows.
Noble families often did not have a permanent home, instead moving
periodically among several locations. Tapestries, which were expensive, were
usually packed and moved each time, bringing with them a sense of luxury and
familiarity.

the nobility used tapestries in their living spaces

tapestries had to be woven in a particular way
tapestries were so expensive
tapestries were packed and stored during warmer parts of the year

12.Paragraph 2 supports which of the following ideas about blue and

red dyes from Flanders?

Some of the most famous tapestries were woven from wool in Flanders (modern
Belgium), a region well-placed for tapestry production. Many of the plants that
supplied dyes grew there. The leaves of the woad plant were used to make blue,
and the madder root provided red. Yellow came from different materials,
including onion skins and lemon peels, though most of these yellows faded
quickly, thus also affecting the quality of green, which is a mixture of blue and
yellow. High-quality wool was not produced in Flanders but was readily imported
from nearby England.

They came from different parts of the same plant.

They were more widely available than other dye colors.
They were of much higher quality than the red and blue dyes produced in
other places.
They retained their brightness longer than yellow dyes.

13.Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential

information in the highlighted sentence in the passage? Incorrect
choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential
information.

Because of a long history of textile production, Flanders already boasted many

skilled weavers and dyers when tapestry production began to increase, and this
advantage grew in the late fifteenth century because of unrest in Flanders'
southern neighbor, France. Originally, Paris had been a center of tapestry
production, but the turmoil produced by the Hundred Years' War between
England and France (1337- 1453) caused many textile workers to relocate to
Flanders or to the city of Arras, which was then a part of the Duchy of Burgundy.
Following the death of the Duke of Burgundy in 1477, the French king Louis XI
conquered the territories around Arras. Its inhabitants, still loyal to Burgundy,
then expelled all the French who had lived in the city. In retaliation, Louis
attacked the town and, in turn, expelled the inhabitants loyal to Burgundy,
including the textile workers, many of whom fled to Flanders. Paris regained
some of its strength in tapestry production in the seventeenth century when
Louis XIV established the famed Gobelins workshops there.

As demand for tapestries grew in France in the late fifteenth century,

Flanders had to employ many more weavers and dyers to increase
tapestry production.
Flanders' advantage of having many skilled workers involved in the
growing tapestry trade only increased in the late fifteenth century as a
result of unrest in France.
Weavers and dyers in Flanders were more numerous and skilled than
those in France, which lacked Flanders' advantage of a long history of
textile production.
In the late fifteenth century, skilled weavers and dyers increased in
Flanders, which had a long history of textile production, but they also
increased in France.

14.According to paragraph 3, what effect did the Hundred Years' War

have on tapestry production in Europe?

Because of a long history of textile production, Flanders already boasted many

skilled weavers and dyers when tapestry production began to increase, and this
advantage grew in the late fifteenth century because of unrest in Flanders'
southern neighbor, France. Originally, Paris had been a center of tapestry
production, but the turmoil produced by the Hundred Years' War between
England and France (1337- 1453) caused many textile workers to relocate to
Flanders or to the city of Arras, which was then a part of the Duchy of Burgundy.
Following the death of the Duke of Burgundy in 1477, the French king Louis XI
conquered the territories around Arras. Its inhabitants, still loyal to Burgundy,
then expelled all the French who had lived in the city. In retaliation, Louis
attacked the town and, in turn, expelled the inhabitants loyal to Burgundy,
including the textile workers, many of whom fled to Flanders. Paris regained
some of its strength in tapestry production in the seventeenth century when
Louis XIV established the famed Gobelins workshops there.

It gave an advantage to the tapestry producers in England.

It caused tapestry production to decrease significantly in England and
France.
It made Flanders more attractive to textile workers who left their homes in
order to escape danger.
It forced the closure of the Gobelins workshops in Paris, leading to the
end of tapestry production in France.

15.The word “featured" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Tapestries were initially used mostly for warmth, but their visual aspect later
gained importance. Tapestries often tell a story. Many early tapestries were
hung in churches and cathedrals; these often featured biblical scenes and were
used for teaching or religious devotion. However, the use of tapestries in
churches later declined with the rise of Gothic architecture. Because this new
style emphasized light, churches had many more windows than before, reducing
the space for tapestries. In homes, tapestries were still prized; they tended to
show complex, varied scenes in vivid colors and provided visual unity to rooms.
Historical or mythical scenes were popular, including depictions of heroes and
heroines from Greek mythology and figures from European legend. Among the
most famous tapestries is a set of six called The Lady and the Unicorn， now in
the Cluny Museum in Paris. These tapestries, done in the intricate millefleurs
design (with a background of many small flowers), all show an elegant lady
accompanied by a unicorn and a lion. Five of them likely represented the senses,
but the meaning of the sixth, bearing an inscription sometimes translated as“my
sole desire," is debatable.

Explained
Combined
Presented
 Honored

16.The word "debatable" in the passage is closest in meaning to

Tapestries were initially used mostly for warmth, but their visual aspect later
gained importance. Tapestries often tell a story. Many early tapestries were
hung in churches and cathedrals; these often featured biblical scenes and were
used for teaching or religious devotion. However, the use of tapestries in
churches later declined with the rise of Gothic architecture. Because this new
style emphasized light, churches had many more windows than before, reducing
the space for tapestries. In homes, tapestries were still prized; they tended to
show complex, varied scenes in vivid colors and provided visual unity to rooms.
Historical or mythical scenes were popular, including depictions of heroes and
heroines from Greek mythology and figures from European legend. Among the
most famous tapestries is a set of six called The Lady and the Unicorn， now in
the Cluny Museum in Paris. These tapestries, done in the intricate millefleurs
design (with a background of many small flowers), all show an elegant lady
accompanied by a unicorn and a lion. Five of them likely represented the senses,
but the meaning of the sixth, bearing an inscription sometimes translated as“my
sole desire," is debatable.

clearly understood
mysterious
unusual
open to discussion

17.According to paragraph 4, why were there fewer tapestries in

churches after the rise of Gothic architecture?

Tapestries were initially used mostly for warmth, but their visual aspect later
gained importance. Tapestries often tell a story. Many early tapestries were
hung in churches and cathedrals; these often featured biblical scenes and were
used for teaching or religious devotion. However, the use of tapestries in
churches later declined with the rise of Gothic architecture. Because this new
style emphasized light, churches had many more windows than before, reducing
the space for tapestries. In homes, tapestries were still prized; they tended to
show complex, varied scenes in vivid colors and provided visual unity to rooms.
Historical or mythical scenes were popular, including depictions of heroes and
heroines from Greek mythology and figures from European legend. Among the
most famous tapestries is a set of six called The Lady and the Unicorn， now in
the Cluny Museum in Paris. These tapestries, done in the intricate millefleurs
design (with a background of many small flowers), all show an elegant lady
accompanied by a unicorn and a lion. Five of them likely represented the senses,
but the meaning of the sixth, bearing an inscription sometimes translated as“my
sole desire," is debatable.

Gothic architects felt that tapestries made churches appear too dark.
Gothic-style churches had less need than older churches to use tapestries
for warmth.
Tapestries were seen as appropriate for the private home but no longer
grand enough to display in churches.
There was no longer as much space for tapestries on church walls.

18.In paragraph 5, what is the author's purpose in discussing a group of

tapestries called the Apocalypse of Angers?

Tapestries were often used as symbols of power and success. A nobleman would
sometimes commission a tapestry showing historical or mythical scenes that
lent his family legitimacy or commemorated a battle his family had won.
Because these tapestry pieces declared status, they were often finer than other
kinds of tapestries, sometimes made with gold or silver thread. One magnificent
group of tapestries, called the Apocalypse of Angers, was commissioned by the
Duke of Anjou (France) in 1375. In Christian narratives, the Apocalypse is the
final battle between good and evil, which is symbolized in the tapestry by various
images, like battles between angels and beasts. Some of the angels are holding
flags showing the Cross of Anjou, a symbol of the duke's territory. The tapestries
were probably designed to represent the duke's wealth as well as to reinforce
his authority as a ruler.

To illustrate that tapestries were used by rulers for multiple purposes

To give an example of a group of tapestries that were based on Christian
narratives
To argue that the meaning of certain tapestries was often difficult to
interpret
To show how important the duke of Anjou was in the history of tapestry
production
 19.Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence
could be added to the passage.

This action greatly angered the French king.

Where would the sentence best fit? Copy and paste instead of a square [■]
to insert the sentence in the passage.

Because of a long history of textile production, Flanders already boasted many

skilled weavers and dyers when tapestry production began to increase, and this
advantage grew in the late fifteenth century because of unrest in Flanders'
southern neighbor, France. Originally, Paris had been a center of tapestry
production, but the turmoil produced by the Hundred Years' War between
England and France (1337- 1453) caused many textile workers to relocate to
Flanders or to the city of Arras, which was then a part of the Duchy of Burgundy.
■ Following the death of the Duke of Burgundy in 1477, the French king Louis XI
conquered the territories around Arras. ■ Its inhabitants, still loyal to Burgundy,
then expelled all the French who had lived in the city. ■ In retaliation, Louis
attacked the town and, in turn, expelled the inhabitants loyal to Burgundy,
including the textile workers, many of whom fled to Flanders. ■ Paris regained
some of its strength in tapestry production in the seventeenth century when
Louis XIV established the famed Gobelins workshops there.

20.Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is

provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer
choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some
sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that
are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This
question is worth 2 points.
Woven, multicolored tapestries were highly popular in western and
northern Europe between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries.
-
-
-
A. Early tapestries were simple and limited to just a few colors until dyers
learned how to combine dyes to make new colors and to use plant
substances to limit fading.
B. Although tapestries were first used primarily for practical reasons such as
to provide warmth, later they were prized more for their decorative and
storytelling functions.
C. The Lady and the Unicorn and the Apocalypse of Angers were hung in
Gothic churches in Europe in order to educate the public about biblical
stories and to promote religious devotion.
D. Flanders was a major textile -production center because of its easy access
to the necessary raw materials and its skilled weavers and dyers, many of
whom fled there from France and Burgundy.
E. The rise of the Gobelins workshops, which specialized in tapestries
depicting the military victories of French kings, made France the most
important tapestry producer in the seventeenth century.
F. Noblemen sometimes commissioned exceptionally fine tapestries
depicting scenes and symbols that promoted their families' status and
legitimacy.
Answers
1. b
2. c
3. a
4. d
5. a
6. c
7. b
8. b
9. b
10. acd
11. a
12. d
13. b
14. c
15. c
16. d
17. d
18. a
19. c
20. bdf